Sarah
From Biblical Hebrew שָׂרָה (śārâ, “lady, princess”), from the Biblical figure originally named Sarai (שָׂרָי (śārāy, literally “masters, princes”)).
Every Sarah since 1880 — 1,101,838 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Sarah
Sarah is a top-100 name for girls in the United States, ranked #90 in 2025 with 2,710 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 1,101,838 American babies have been named Sarah. Its peak came in 1982, when 28,608 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1980s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Sarah stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Sarah year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2,710 | #90 | — | — |
| 2024 | 2,719 | #93 | — | — |
| 2023 | 2,771 | #91 | — | — |
| 2022 | 2,809 | #95 | — | — |
| 2021 | 2,865 | #91 | — | — |
| 2020 | 3,070 | #86 | 9 | #8,612 |
| 2019 | 3,325 | #81 | — | — |
| 2018 | 3,781 | #66 | — | — |
| 2017 | 4,036 | #62 | 6 | #11,973 |
| 2016 | 4,429 | #57 | 9 | #8,689 |
| 2015 | 4,535 | #57 | 10 | #7,938 |
| 2014 | 4,717 | #50 | — | — |
| 2013 | 4,715 | #48 | 5 | #13,715 |
| 2012 | 5,207 | #42 | 6 | #12,018 |
| 2011 | 5,571 | #39 | 5 | #13,984 |
| 2010 | 6,341 | #26 | 5 | #13,906 |
| 2009 | 7,794 | #21 | 12 | #7,157 |
| 2008 | 9,055 | #20 | 17 | #5,449 |
| 2007 | 10,014 | #18 | 13 | #6,546 |
| 2006 | 11,161 | #15 | 17 | #5,266 |
| 2005 | 11,555 | #15 | 18 | #4,792 |
| 2004 | 12,758 | #12 | 53 | #2,205 |
| 2003 | 13,785 | #11 | 26 | #3,507 |
| 2002 | 14,779 | #8 | 22 | #3,890 |
| 2001 | 15,929 | #6 | 22 | #3,823 |
| 2000 | 17,715 | #5 | 26 | #3,282 |
| 1995 | 21,395 | #5 | 34 | #2,340 |
| 1990 | 25,824 | #6 | 57 | #1,514 |
| 1985 | 24,879 | #5 | 101 | #904 |
| 1980 | 25,757 | #5 | 84 | #986 |
| 1975 | 11,170 | #17 | 46 | #1,275 |
| 1970 | 5,614 | #65 | 16 | #2,387 |
| 1965 | 4,062 | #92 | 17 | #1,979 |
| 1960 | 4,205 | #116 | 13 | #2,409 |
| 1955 | 3,979 | #108 | 16 | #2,035 |
| 1950 | 4,143 | #88 | 11 | #2,421 |
| 1945 | 3,592 | #76 | 10 | #2,375 |
| 1940 | 3,869 | #60 | 24 | #1,394 |
| 1935 | 3,615 | #61 | 19 | #1,644 |
| 1930 | 3,920 | #70 | 28 | #1,393 |
| 1925 | 4,685 | #58 | 24 | #1,573 |
| 1920 | 5,031 | #50 | 14 | #2,321 |
| 1915 | 4,415 | #51 | 15 | #1,951 |
| 1910 | 2,173 | #40 | 6 | #1,558 |
| 1905 | 1,762 | #41 | 5 | #1,397 |
| 1900 | 2,054 | #37 | 5 | #1,476 |
| 1895 | 1,777 | #33 | 8 | #860 |
| 1890 | 1,786 | #21 | 5 | #1,136 |
| 1885 | 1,424 | #18 | 7 | #824 |
| 1880 | 1,288 | #10 | — | — |
Famous people named Sarah
- Sarah Religious figure · -1803–-1676
- Sarah Bernhardt Actor · 1844–1923
- Sarah Baartman Religious figure · 1788–1815
- Sarah Vaughan Singer · 1924–1990
- Sarah Palin Politician · b. 1964
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Sarah mean?
From Biblical Hebrew שָׂרָה (śārâ, “lady, princess”), from the Biblical figure originally named Sarai (שָׂרָי (śārāy, literally “masters, princes”)).
How popular is the name Sarah in 2025?
Sarah ranked #90 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 2,710 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Sarah?
1,101,838 babies have been named Sarah in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Sarah most popular?
Sarah peaked in 1982, when 28,608 newborns received the name.
Is Sarah a boy or girl name?
Sarah is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Sarah rising or falling?
Sarah is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Sarah?
Well-known people named Sarah include Sarah (religious figure), Sarah Bernhardt (actor), Sarah Baartman (religious figure).